Brad Pickhardt Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

I really like Dr. Pickhardt. Vickie is amazing as well as the rest of the staff. (will write more later)

I consulted with Brad Pickhardt and he answered all of my questions and in turn asked me a lot of questions. Dr. Pickhardt is a no non-sense surgeon. His success record is awesome so I'd say there is probably a lot of talent in his hands. Dr. Pickhardt performed my Lap RNY on November 19th. Everything has gone extremely well. I am only one week out but have had not difficulties whatsoever. I will learn more about the aftercare program tomorrow and will post again.

My first impression of Dr Pickhardt was wonderful. I was very nervous when I went to my first consult. Something about his manner put my at ease and while I KNEW I was doing the right thing, I FELT it after I met him. He asked me several times \"what questions do you have for me?\". I truly feel that he cares deeply for his bariatric patients and he is empathetic with what obese people go through. I would recommend him to anyone considering bariatric surgery in Montana. He is an excellent surgeon and I credit his expertise and willingness to help obese people with saving my life.

Hi havn't met Dr. Pickhardt as yet. I have heard he is one of the premire surgeons doing this operation in Montana. I am scheduled for my first meeting with him on 2/19/03. I have been in comunication with his nurses and I am looking forward to our visit. His head nurse Renee Williams at St Patricks in Missoula has done a wonderful job at getting things going.

Met with Dr. Pickardt on the 19th. Great guy with a good sense of humor, but very clear about the risks of this surgery. He was not trying to sell me on it in anyway, but was encouraging.

Had the Surgery on the 4th of march. Dr. met with me for about 15 minutes in pre opp and since we were both in commited mode by then, his demeaner was 100% positive that everyting would go well and that this was a new chapter in my life. He was right.

He is very straight forward, I liked that, no I just liked him more. the staff is wonderful.Nothing, Trust him. Listen to what he tells you.He pushes after care as a very large part of the plan. The aftercare plan they have is very structere.He was very straight about the posslible outcomes of this surgery I knew all the risks I would be facing. Overall I would give him and his program a 10 on a scale of 1-10. Both were outstanding

My actual surgeon was Dr. Charles Swannack a partner of Dr. Pckhardt. Dr. Swannack was great. I would highly recommend him. He explained everything, answered all the questions my husband and I had and always smiles. He has the same office staff as Dr. Pickhardt at the Bariatric Clinic and they are wonderful. Dr. Swannack uses an abdominal anesthesia along with the morphine pump postop, so I had very little incision pain. I don't think Dr. Pickhardt uses this. Dr. Swannack is very tall and lanky, but seems to have a lot of empathy towards his patience. I really am glad I had him for my surgeon.

I have not meet with the surgeon, yet. But I have been working close to his staff waiting for approval from my insurance company.

Dr.Prichardt very up front about things and very serious about the things he wants you to do. He is very caring and up beat.i liked all the people involved in his unit if you needed something you just let them know they were glad to help.Although i didn't see to much of the Dr. directly after surgery.He is a very qualified and fine surgeon he knows his stuff. The whole staff couldn't emphasize enough how important the after care is!!!!they have a support group and ask you to return for a month check-up then a 3 m0nth and a 6month then a year then once a year after that.they let you know that there may-be some complications and what and how they correct them. Overall Dr.Prichardt is a very skilled Dr. and i would trust him.... I beleive his surgical competence is better than bedside manner even though that wasn't real bad either.

My impression of DR Pickhardt was that of compassion and skill. He voiced his concern that I wanted bloodless medicene and refused all blood products, concern was that he could nick the spleen and I could needlessly bleed to death, but respected my wishes and didn't require any blood. Office staff was great.. Esp Pam RN and Renee LPN. All emphasized aftercare and support. I would rate him A+. I beleive surgical competence and bedside manner are both important and find DR Pickhardt and his staff excelled at both. I am pleased to highly recommend he and his staff for WLS

Dr. Brad I feel is a wonderful surgeon. He watches and cares very much for his patients. He makes sure his patients have the best care. My first impression of him, was a strong caring surgeon. He was very straight forward, which I think is great, because there is not hiding information. He wants to make sure you are ready for what is going to happen. I was very impressed and relieved knowing he was going to be my surgeon. Because he was doing this for the right reasons and because he was full of knowledge and upfront, I knew that he would perform his best. His after care was great, he always made his rounds and made sure that everything was alright. He checked your progress and how well you respond to new items. I believe he is great!
His office staff on the other hand, were so thoughtful and caring, it turned a dramatic experience into a wonderful adventure. They really cared for you has a person. I thought I was being demanding and a pain a few times, but everyone was fantastic. They helped with all my progress and went for walks with me. I spent 2 days in ICU before I was able to join others like myself, and on both floors, the nurses were Fantabulous! It helped also that a quite a few of them also went through the RNY, so they have been there.
I cant say I found anything I didnt like about either the surgeon or nursing staff. So I wouldnt change a thing!
They allowed my mother to stay in my room with myself, she used my shower and all. It was great that she stayed with me.
**Future patients, dont be fooled or allow anyone to sugar coat this surgery. It is not for everyone, but you have to be in the right sense of mind. Everything he says take very serious, this is a very serious surgery.***
Dr. Brad and his staff have a wonderful after care program. They have it once a month, plus were I live, we have one once a month. It is a great program, where others can go for information, and for post ops, where we can share our stories and successes with one another and future patients.
He didnt sugar coat anything which I thought was great. There is nothing to sugar coat. He came out and told us about all the risks of surgery, but it was no surprise to me, because I did my research. His bedside manner and surgical competence were both great. He came before I went in and reassured everything. Afterward, he found my mom and told her it was text book and everything went great. He told her, that I will be a great successer. He made my mom and family feel relieved and reassured.
Overall? I would rate him as a very professional, caring individual that helps others that need it. Overall an 8. Ü